Nancy Smith’s gardening endeavors interest more than just her 300 newsletter subscribers. Her historical gardens and her quarterly newsletter about old-fashioned ornamental plants will be featured in the May-June edition of Midwest Living. (Pictured were Nancy and Richard Smith.)

Although a brisk north wind buffeted the crowd gathered Saturday along Tonganoxie’s Fourth St., spirits were high for the 13th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. "We’ve got some good floats this year," said John McCaffrey, one of the parade organizers, "There’s a lot of excitement." The Irish fairies had been out during the wee hours Saturday, painting a green stripe down the middle of Fourth Street, and taking time to fashion some shamrocks and a rainbow on the asphalt.

25 years ago: March 13, 1985

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Neibarger celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today. They were married March 13, 1920 in Valley Falls, and have lived in Tonganoxie since 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Neibarger published the Tonganoxie Mirror from 1926 until 1955. Congratulations!

Angie Page, a 14-year-old 8th grade student at Tonganoxie Middle School placed 7th in the Leavenworth County Annual Spelling Bee. Angie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Page of Route 3, Leavenworth.

Births: Donna and Bill Bales, of Tonganoxie, announce the birth of their son, Kenneth Eugene, born March 1, 1985; Mr. and Mrs. David Martinez, Lawrence, are the proud parents of a son, Jason Dana, born March 1, 1985.

Mrs. Ruby Crank is back home after visiting her father, Mr. John Brackett at Roanoke, Texas and also her sister, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones and family.

50 years ago: March 31, 1960

Thirteen-year-old Sheila Wiley of Basehor School won the right to represent Leavenworth County at the annual Capper spelling bee by standing up against nine other contestants Monday afternoon.

Neighbors gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Babcock Sunday and helped repair the damage to their barn roof from the heavy snow. Those assisting were Mr. Bill Sorenson, Mr. J.H. Richardson, Mr. Bill Martinez and Mr. Clarence Korb.

Linwood: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dowding announce the birth of a son March 22. They have given him the name Glenn Allen.

Charles Carter, about 60, of Lawrence, was found dead at his home Monday. He went to Lawrence from Tonganoxie in 1943.

On the evening of March 7, 1960, The Masonic Hall was the scene of a most interesting occasion, it being the 70th anniversary of Rinda Chapter 82 O.E.S. And also it marked the highlight of the evening, the consolidation of Rachel Chapter 186 of Linwood, with Rinda Chapter, thus bringing 71 members to Rinda.

Reno: Gerald Wedel, son of Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Wedel, fell while flying a kite Thursday after school, cutting a severe gash in his leg requiring fifteen stitches by a doctor.

75 years ago: March 7, 1935

Some Jarbalo History: The second general store in Jarbalo the winter of 1885-86 belonged to the Zoellner brothers, Andrew and Frank, whose parents lived on a farm southwest of here, later known as the Addison Cox place. The two brothers were single and batched in a one-roomed house in the rear of the store.

Hitting the High Spots: The earthquake Friday morning was a general topic. Most of the comments were: "Did we really have an earthquake or am I crazy?" Well, there’s a new sort of oddity for 1935!

Word was received in Tonganoxie Monday of the death at Meeker, Colorado, of Mrs. LeRoy Winslow, Friday, of pneumonia. She was a former resident of this place.

Just-A-Thinkin’: We may be dumb in lots of ways, but our kids show signs of being smart. One recently obtained permission from his mother to spend a dime for a valentine. He bought a heart-shaped box, selected the candy for it with great care, and had the clerk address it to himself. "From Shirley Temple."

Stanwood Items: Donna Marie, the infant daughter of Harold McHenry, of McLouth, died last Tuesday. The funeral was Wednesday and the little body was laid to rest in the McLouth cemetery, beside its mother, who passed away a short time ago.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reed, of Linwood, a boy, on Saturday, March 2. Mrs. Reed will be remembered as Miss Thelma Holland.

100 years ago: March 17, 1910

Will Wise left for Chase County Monday afternoon.

The town had a number of drunks Sunday. The usual number of arrests was made.

Opal Jackson, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Jackson, of Wellington, died at her home March 11, at the age of six months, three weeks and two days. She is the third child they have buried in the last year. The remains were brought here Saturday morning and funeral services were held in the Friends Church at 11 o’clock. She was laid to rest in Eagle Cemetery.

Walter Quisenberry borrowed a young horse of Dr. Reno, Saturday, to go to Hoge to do some papering. The horse got untied from in front of Thos. Robinson’s home and started away. It got up such a speed that it could not turn a corner and ran into a telephone pole. The animal ran into the pole with such force that its neck was broken.

A little excitement was caused at school Tuesday morning by the back of Eva Creed giving out, which caused her to sink down on a stairway. She had her back sprained a few weeks ago by falling out of a haymow west of town, and she hurt it again Tuesday morning before she went to school. The girl was taken home in a hack and Dr. C.V. Slaughter, who is in attendance, thinks she will be all right in a few days.